Young people delay having children because they cannot afford a home

Millions of prospective parents are delaying having children because they
cannot afford suitable homes.

By Laura Roberts

1:23PM BST 04 Apr 2010

The national shortage of affordable housing will create problems for future generations, a report by the charity Shelter claimed.

The research, based on a YouGov poll, suggests that one in five childless adults aged 18-44 have delayed starting a family because they cannot buy a home.

Campbell Robb, chief executive of the housing charity, said: "The housing crisis is affecting every part of society. In the past housing as been seen as an issue for people further down the economic ladder, but this is just not the case any more. These figures reveal that the impact of high housing costs is spreading to a much wider group than simply those at the sharp end of the housing crisis."

Housing will be a key issue for all three main parties in the forthcoming election.

An average home in England costs £226,648. With a deposit of 25 per cent and standard loan of three times their salary someone must earn £56,000 to buy such a property.

Meanwhile, according to the report The Human Cost: How the Lack of Affordable Housing Impacts on all Aspects of Life, 13.1 million people say they h ave reduced the amount they spend on food to help pay their housing costs.